“Simplicity isn’t about cutting back. It’s about coming home to what matters.”
There was a recent article in the Seattle Times that caught my eye—“More Seattle couples say ‘I do’ to simpler weddings.” It told the story of couples pushing back against the soaring costs of modern weddings, opting for backyard ceremonies, potluck receptions, and scaled-down celebrations that feel more like them.
It made me think.
I’m all for simplicity—but not the kind that’s just about cutting corners. The kind I believe in is born from soul-searching. It’s the kind that asks: *What really matters to me?*
When it comes to money, simplicity means spending where your heart lives—and having the courage to release what doesn’t belong.
That’s what I mean by “Go Big and Go Home.” It’s not a contradiction; it’s a way forward. Go big—emotionally, energetically, even financially—on what truly matters to you. And let the rest be simple, honest, and free.
The Pressure to Perform — and the Freedom to Choose
Today’s couples face a wedding industry that often whispers: go big or go home. Bigger venues. Pricier rings. Designer everything. Social media makes it all look effortless—but the cost can be steep, emotionally and financially.
Let me be clear: I’m not against any of it.
I’ve seen breathtaking weddings with five-course meals, custom lighting, and stunning floral installations. At one celebration, waiters strolled the grounds offering platters of giant shrimp while The Boys of the Lough—flown in for the occasion—played in the background. It was extravagant, yes, but also beautiful, memorable, and deeply meaningful to the couple at the time. Life later took them in different directions, but that day—the beauty, the joy, the music—was real.
What I’m wary of is including things just because you feel like you have to. Because someone else did. Or because a Pinterest board or Instagram reel made it look like the only way to do it right.
Ask What Really Matters
Before you make a budget spreadsheet, sit down with your partner and ask:
– What parts of the wedding matter most to us?
– What will we still treasure when the cake is long gone?
– What feels like us?
Those answers may surprise you. And they’ll give you a map.
Go Big Where It Counts
Maybe it’s the dress. Or the photographer. Or the live string trio for the ceremony.
Maybe it’s a quiet venue with big skies and no rush.
Maybe it’s parachuting in the best man with the rings at just the right moment—or asking Uncle Reggie to fly them in on one of his trained falcons.
Whatever it is, go big there. That’s where the memories will live. The sky’s the limit.
Go Home to What Grounds You
Not everything needs to be epic.
– Skip the monogrammed napkins.
– Choose a reception playlist over a live band if it means you get the officiant who “gets you.”
– Delay the honeymoon. Host your rehearsal dinner at the park shelter your family always used.
Simplicity doesn’t mean skimping. It means choosing.
A Final Thought
At the end of the day, the best weddings I’ve ever been part of weren’t the ones with the biggest budgets. They were the ones where love was unmistakable. Where the couple’s priorities shaped the celebration. Where what mattered most was given space to breathe—and where the sacred wasn’t crowded out.
So yes—go big. And yes—go home.
Come home to what matters. And let that be enough.